SC acquits mother with schizophrenia in child's death, cites legal insanity

The Supreme Court (SC) has acquitted a mother with schizophrenia in connection with the death of her 5-year-old daughter, ruling that her mental condition deprived her of the capacity to recognize the nature and wrongfulness of her act at the time of the incident.

In a 14-page decision, the SC’s Third Division granted the appeal of the accused, identified only as XXX, and overturned her conviction for parricide on the ground of legal insanity.

The Court ordered her immediate transfer to the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City.

“Taking into account the foregoing circumstances, the Court is convinced that at the time of the incident, XXX’s mental state deprived her of the ability to appreciate the nature and wrongfulness of her act,” the ruling stated.

“Thus, she is exempt from criminal liability under Article 12(1) of the Revised Penal Code,” it added.

According to the SC, the incident occurred in 2010 when the mother jumped off a bridge into a river with her daughter.

A man aboard a banca was able to rescue XXX but failed to locate the child, who was found lifeless the following day.

XXX said she was not in her right mind at the time and could only recall walking with her daughter, with no memory of the incident itself.

A licensed physician testified that she was suffering from psychosis classified as schizophrenia.

The Court described schizophrenia as a chronic mental disorder marked by an inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy, often accompanied by hallucinations and delusions.

“[T]he testimony of XXX further reveals her state of mind at the time of the incident. She testified that she was at the Manila City Jail, Female Dormitory because ‘nakagawa ako ng kasalanan (I committed a sin),’” the Court said.

“The ‘kasalanan’ she referred to was her attempt to commit suicide. She further testified that she ‘was not herself’ and ‘was not in her right mind,’” it added.

While exempting XXX from criminal liability, the SC said she remains civilly liable.

The Court affirmed the award of P75,000 each for civil indemnity, moral damages, and exemplary damages, as well as P50,000 for temperate damages, all subject to 6% legal interest per annum.

The decision, penned by Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, was promulgated in October 2025 and made public in April 2026.—MCG, GMA News